I often speak with students about the power they hold as one individual. It is truly amazing how one person can REALLY make a difference.
If I walk into a store and I speak kindly and smile to the person helping me behind the counter, I will most likely have a positive effect on their day. It may even inspire them to smile at the next person who comes to them for help. That next person (let's call them person #3) may be having a rough day and that one smile and warm greeting from the sales associate may change the trajectory of their day. Person #3 then goes off and maybe let's a driver merge into their lane on the road that they otherwise would have been bothered by. But they are feeling a bit kinder because someone smiled at them. The person on the road (person #4) then goes off grateful that someone on the road was kind, and makes a phone call to a friend checking on them. We can go on and on about the effects that person #1 had on the world. That person was me ... and all I did was walk into a store and smile and speak kindly.
This truly happens. Kindness breeds more kindness. Love grows more love.
This holiday season let's remember to be patient and kind with everyone. We really never know what someone is going through. We all face challenges. We all have hopes and dreams as well as disappointments. Let's be the light in someone's else's story.
You have power as one.